Sourav Ganguly feels India should cut off all ties with Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed many CRPF personnel.
“Whatever happened in Pulwama last week was really sad... It is the worst possible thing that could ever happen. And whatever reactions came from the people of India...was right…
“There is no chance of a bilateral series with Pakistan after this incident. I agree that after this attack, India should not only stop playing cricket, hockey or football with Pakistan, but should cut all ties with them,” Sourav said, speaking to India TV.
“I can also understand the sentiments of people asking India not to play Pakistan in the World Cup and I feel the government should take strong action on this issue. The after-effect of this should be strong from India,” the former India captain added.
According to Sourav, the fact that the BCCI is under the control of the Supreme Court, it almost renders itself powerless at the moment and is not in a position to take any strong action.
“I don’t think anything is left in BCCI after the Supreme Court situation. There are no office-bearers left to take a decision, but I feel that the BCCI should still take a strong decision on the issue and send a strong no-nonsense message,” he commented.
Sourav also echoed the sentiments of his one-time teammate Harbhajan Singh, saying that not playing Pakistan in one group-phase tie in the upcoming World Cup will not affect India’s chances of making the semi-finals.
However, Sourav didn’t elaborate on whether the protest should be symbolic for one game or India should forfeit even if they happen to meet Pakistan in the semi-final or the final.
“This is a 10-team World Cup and each team plays matches against every other team, and I feel if India don’t play a match in the World Cup, it won’t be an issue.”
In another development, the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) has removed pictures of former Pakistani cricketers from its stadium in view of public sentiments.